Jason Giambi Talks About the SwingAway

October 30, 2009 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swingaway

The Decision to Swing

October 28, 2009 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under video

Details on the Swing

October 26, 2009 by Dave Hudgens  
Filed under Baseball Instruction, Featured

Many people ask me to explain how the hands start the bat instead of the upper body. I always teach for the hitter to pull his/her hands through with the bat head back.  But several players have said that when they pull their hands through it seems as though it is done with my front shoulder and front forearm and this pulls me off the ball.

So I wanted to post this to make it 100% clear, the hitter must think hands, otherwise the front side will take over, pulling off of the ball. I also have hitters think about the backside pushing through the front side. The bat head must stay behind the hands until the knob of the bat becomes even with where the front hip was. It’s critical that the hands stay inside the ball, in doing so, will allow the hitter to be short and accurate to the ball. Good luck.

Bunting Tips

October 23, 2009 by Dave Hudgens  
Filed under Baseball Instruction


Batting:How To Bunt A Baseball Like A Pro

Quite possibly the most underrated tool in baseball is the bunt. A bunt is a strategic weapon used by the offense where the batter holds the bat and lightly taps the ball into fair territory. Follow these simple steps to success with the bunt in baseball.

Getting Ready To Bat In Baseball

October 21, 2009 by Dave Hudgens  
Filed under video


Batting: Getting Ready To Bat In Baseball

What is the ‘batter’s box’ in baseball?

The batter’s box in baseball is designed to keep the batter in a certain space. So he doesn’t gain an advantage. So it’s basically made up of a chalk and it’s for the right handed side of the batter and for the left handed side of the batter. And again it’s just to keep them in a certain space that they are not allowed to go beyond that boundary.

What is the ‘on-deck circle’ in baseball?

The on-deck circle is designed for the next hitter coming to the plate. It’s close to the dugout, for safety reasons, so the on-deck hitter is not vulnerable to getting hit, obviously. And a second reason why the on-deck circle is near the dugout is so that the batter doesn’t get an unfair advantage by getting too close to the plate and actually getting a better look at what the pitcher’s throwing.

What is the ‘batting cage’ in baseball?

The ‘batting cage’ in baseball is set up for the hitters before the game so that more or less the balls stay in one area, so that they’re not chasing the balls around. When a batter hits, it’s nice because the balls will be held by the netting of the cage and the third thing is that the coaches can get very close to the hitter and watch from behind and maybe help them work on technique.

What is ‘pine tar’ and how is it used in baseball?

Pine tar is a sticky substance that is used in baseball really to give a header a great grip on the bat. This is so the bat doesn’t flat your hands, or the bat doesn’t feel loose in your hands, or they don’t feel as good as a grip on the bat.

What is the right way to grip a baseball bat?

The appropriate way to grip a baseball bat is to keep your hands relatively loose, the looser your hands are, the looser your muscles are and the better that they fire, the better that they operate. So I would say generally speaking “loose” there is a technical way to do it so where your knuckles, your first knuckle on each finger line up your right hand with your left hand, but generally speaking the idea is that your hands should be relatively comfortable and it should not be really tight when you grip a baseball bat.

What does it mean to ‘choke up’ on a baseball bat?

Choking up on a bat is really done in situations where you feel you’re overmatched by the pitcher. He’s throwing very hard or you have two strikes on you, so you’re really in a protective mode where you don’t want. You want to keep your swing a little shorter and you want to have a little more control at the bat. So, by choking up you’re actually getting a little more control, and you’re less vulnerable to someone overpowering you.

What is the right way to hold and position a baseball bat when preparing to hit?

The appropriate way to hold a bat when you’re positioning yourself to hit the ball is really, varied. There’s many schools of how you hit. But generally speaking, your hands should be pretty much placed somewhere towards your back shoulder. Your hands should be about the height of your shoulder, and again, they should be in a pretty relaxed position. How you hold the bat forward or backward really depends on your hitting coach.

What is the right way to position my body when preparing to hit a baseball?

The most appropriate way to prepare your stance before hitting a baseball, first of all, is that there’s very different ways. There’s the option of opening your front foot, which is called an open stance, so that you can actually see the ball a little bit better, and your front side, or your front shoulder, is more open or toward third base. There’s a closed stance where your front shoulder is actually pointing more towards first base – this being a right-handed hitter. Some players like to crouch a little bit more because it keeps them more compact. Some players like to get more upright, because it actually keeps your head more still, and you tend to see the ball better.

Where should I stand in the batter’s box when preparing to hit a baseball?

The place you should stand in a batter’s box will vary. If the pitcher is throwing very hard, hitters tend to move towards the back of the box, and towards the catcher, so they have more time to react and see the ball. If the pitcher is not throwing very hard or he is throwing a lot of off speed pitches like curve balls or changeups, hitters tend to move forward, because they want to catch the ball before it dies or before it breaks on them.

What type of pitch should I expect from the pitcher in baseball?

The type of pitch you should be expecting from a pitcher is a fastball. Fastballs are thrown approximately 70% of the time in a game, and probably even more at the lower levels. So you really should expect a fastball. And for the most part, you want to hit a fastball because that’s what hitters are trained to swing at more than any other pitch in batting practice.

What should I focus on as I prepare to hit a baseball?

The key things you should be focusing on when you prepare to hit a baseball are, number one, to see the ball well. If you see the ball well, it’s the single most important ingredient to having success at the plate. Number two is to be relaxed. Take a deep breath before you get in the batter’s box. Number three, again, keep the body loose, and keep the hands loose.

Where should I be trying to hit the ball during a baseball game?

The place you want to hit the baseball during a baseball game really depends on the situation. For the most part, you want to hit the ball where it’s pitched. If it’s pitched away from you, you want to hit it to the right side if you’re right-handed. If it’s pitched in toward you, you want to pull it to the left side if you’re right-handed. However, there are certain situations in a game when you’re supposed to hit the ball to the right side of the field, or you’re supposed to try to drive the ball to the outfield to maybe score a run from third base.

What is the ’sweet spot’ on a baseball bat?

The ’sweet spot’ on a baseball bat is considered that area which is only about maybe four inches long, just above the label of the bat, which is the center of the bat and just below the top of the bat. It’s more towards the top of the bat and is about four inches long, and it’s where the ball tends to have the most power or force behind it from the bat itself.

What is the batter’s ‘wheelhouse’ in baseball lingo?

The batter’s wheelhouse is a term that is really based on the hitter being able to develop the maximum amount of power, usually that means a ball that’s on the inside part of the plate and usually about waist height. For some reason that seems to be the area where a hitter can hit the ball the furthest or pull the ball the furthest to left field if they’re right handed. They call it a wheelhouse because he can get the most amount of power from that area where the ball is pitched at.

What is a ‘designated hitter’ or ‘DH’ in baseball?

A designated hitter in baseball is actually something that was made popular in the 1970s. And what happened is, in baseball, you started getting players who no longer were able to play defence as they got older, but they were still great hitters. So they decided, instead of having the pitcher hit, they would replace the pitcher with what was called the designated hitter. So he’s actually the designated hitter, meaning he’s hitting for the pitcher, and his job is to simply hit when the pitcher’s spot would come up. He doesn’t play defence.

What is a ’switch-hitter’ in baseball?

A switch-hitter in baseball is someone who can hit both left handed and right handed. Most baseball players either hit right handed or left handed, but the switch-hitter can do both.

What is a ‘pinch hitter’ in baseball?

A pinch hitter is a player that comes up at some point in the game and hits for a player that is already in the game. His job is to come off the bench, when he’s not necessarily that warmed up, but he’s got to find a way to pinch hit for the player that’s already in the game.

See the Ball!

October 19, 2009 by Dave Hudgens  
Filed under Featured, Q & A

Question:

My son struggled at the 16 year old JV level this season. The bottom line is he just doesn’t pick up the ball consistently. The zone he has the most problem with is that first zone, leaving the pitcher’s hand to the first 10-12 feet. He fights off a lot of pitches because they get on top of him, sees it too late. He can’t ever attack it out in front of the plate. When he sees it early and likes it, he most of the time jumps at it and gets out on his front foot, either topping the ball or getting under it. I have Harvey’s Vision Training, have used it a bit, he’s into his Legion Ball now for the summer and I want to help him NOW ! That’s where you come in, Dave. It’s not as easy as saying “See it coming out of the pitcher’s hand”. What now !!????

Answer:

The first action that needs to take place is that when his stride foot comes down, the hands have to go back. This will get him into a good position of power and allow him to see the ball. It sounds like he usually starts too late, and gets beat on balls, or he starts too early and all his weight comes forward. I would rather him start too early then too late, if he starts too late he will get beat on balls every time.

However, he can start as early as he wants if he gets into the position of power. Once he is in the position of power, don’t have him thinkn about seeing the ball out of the pitcher’s hand, have him only think about seeing the ball. If a hitter thinks about seeing the ball out of the hand he might follow the hand instead of the ball. Have him start early, and only think about seeing the ball. Good luck with the season.

Softball Hitting Instruction by Mike Candrea – 4X6 Drill

October 16, 2009 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under video

The Hip Slide

October 14, 2009 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under video

Getting Ready for the Game

October 12, 2009 by Dave Hudgens  
Filed under Baseball Instruction, Featured

The best way to get ready for a game is called the “Hitter’s Success Chain“.

Before the game: If you have the ability to watch the opposing pitcher as he warms up so you can time his delivery, the speed and type of his pitches, and his commend. Look for his release point.
In the dugout: Pitcher is now on the mound. Watch to see what type of pitches he is throwing. Check his release point. Is he having trouble commanding any of his pitches? What type of pitch do you want to look for off this pitcher?

On deck: While taking your practice swings remind yourself about any keys you have about your swing. This is the last time you should think about your mechanics. Time the pitcher’s delivery; see yourself hitting your pitch hard. Know the situation before you go to the plate. Allow only positive thoughts into your mind. Focus on what you want to do, not on what you don’t want to do.

In the batter’s box: do your pre-at bat routine with a relaxed rhythm. Do not vary your routine once you have found on that has worked for you. If anything disrupts it, call time out and step out of the box.  This should get you ready for your at bat. The key is consistency and getting your mind ready to attack every pitch.

Major League Baseball’s All-Time Leaders

October 9, 2009 by Coach John Flading  
Filed under The Swing


Baseball Basics:
Major League Baseball’s All-Time Leaders

Who is Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in career hits?
Pete Rose is the all-time career hits leader. He surpassed Ty Cobb in the 1980s.

Who is Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in career strike outs?
Nolan Ryan is the all-time career strike outs leader. He also had seven no-hitters during his career, which is a phenomenal figure.

Who is Major League Baseball’s all-time leader in career batting average?
Ty Cobb is the all-time leader in career batting average. His average is .366.

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